Bioluminescent Firefly Photo-Dataset Creation
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I’m collecting a precise photo-dataset of live fireflies so I can quantify their bioluminescent intensity for an upcoming research paper. I need a field-ready photographer who can use a modern smartphone or a DSLR with full manual controls, and deliver a small set of rigorously calibrated images.
Scope
• Capture close-up shots at fixed, measured distance (ideally 10-15 cm from lens to subject, documented precisely) of individual fireflies in a completely dark room.
• Shoot RAW or highest-quality native format, logging ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and focal length for every frame.
• Include at least one reference exposure per session that features a known-intensity light source. Preferred: a green LED (520-560nm, specified output power) that I will provide specifications for, or that you can purchase (~$10-15, reimbursable). Alternative: calibrated photographic gray card with documented reflectance values under standard illuminant.
• Provide basic environmental notes: location (GPS), ambient temperature, humidity, and time of capture.
What I’ll consider a complete delivery
1. 20–30 usable images that clearly show the insect’s luminous abdomen with minimal motion blur.
2. A metadata sheet (CSV or similar) mapping each file name to its capture settings and reference-light measurements. Reference shots must use identical camera settings (ISO/exposure/aperture) as firefly shots, taken immediately before or after each session to ensure sensor calibration stability.
3. A brief rundown of your setup—phone model, lens add-ons (if any), tripod or stabilizer, and any diffusers or shields you used to block stray light.
This is preliminary work, so the dataset can be gathered over one or two nights as conditions allow; just be ready for a quick follow-up round if we spot gaps.
Please -- apply only if you have currently access to live fireflies!
I’ll review sample frames first to confirm focus, noise levels, and exposure before green-lighting the full session.
Scope
• Capture close-up shots at fixed, measured distance (ideally 10-15 cm from lens to subject, documented precisely) of individual fireflies in a completely dark room.
• Shoot RAW or highest-quality native format, logging ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and focal length for every frame.
• Include at least one reference exposure per session that features a known-intensity light source. Preferred: a green LED (520-560nm, specified output power) that I will provide specifications for, or that you can purchase (~$10-15, reimbursable). Alternative: calibrated photographic gray card with documented reflectance values under standard illuminant.
• Provide basic environmental notes: location (GPS), ambient temperature, humidity, and time of capture.
What I’ll consider a complete delivery
1. 20–30 usable images that clearly show the insect’s luminous abdomen with minimal motion blur.
2. A metadata sheet (CSV or similar) mapping each file name to its capture settings and reference-light measurements. Reference shots must use identical camera settings (ISO/exposure/aperture) as firefly shots, taken immediately before or after each session to ensure sensor calibration stability.
3. A brief rundown of your setup—phone model, lens add-ons (if any), tripod or stabilizer, and any diffusers or shields you used to block stray light.
This is preliminary work, so the dataset can be gathered over one or two nights as conditions allow; just be ready for a quick follow-up round if we spot gaps.
Please -- apply only if you have currently access to live fireflies!
I’ll review sample frames first to confirm focus, noise levels, and exposure before green-lighting the full session.